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Page 70
Desperation led him to take another chance with men. Slipping into
the shadow of the old Governor's House, the headquarters of
commissioned officers, on the terrace above the barracks, he lay
near the open door to the mess-room, listening and watching.
The pretty ceremony of toasting the bandmaster brought all the
company about the table again, and the polite pause in the
conversation, on his exit, gave an opportunity for the captain to
speak of Bobby before the sergeant could get his message delivered.
"Gentlemen, your indulgence for a moment, to drink another toast to
a little dog that is said to have slept on his master's grave in
Greyfriars churchyard for more than eight years. Sergeant Scott, of
the Royal Engineers, vouches for the story and will present the
hero."
The sergeant came forward then with the word that Bobby could not
be found. He was somewhere in the Castle, and had made persistent
and frantic efforts to get out. Prevented at every turn, and
forcibly held in various places by well-meaning but blundering
soldiers, he had been frightened into hiding.
Bobby heard every word, and he must have understood that he himself
was under discussion. Alternately hopeful and apprehensive, he
scanned each face in the room that came within range of his vision,
until one arrested and drew him. Such faces, full of understanding,
love and compassion for dumb animals, are to be found among men,
women and children, in any company and in every corner of the
world. Now, with the dog's instinct for the dog-lover, Bobby made
his way about the room unnoticed, and set his short, shagged paws
up on this man's knee.
"Bless my soul, gentlemen, here's the little dog now, and a
beautiful specimen of the drop-eared Skye he is. Why didn't you say
that the 'bittie' dog was of the Highland breed, Sergeant? You may
well believe any extravagant tale you may hear of the fidelity and
affection of the Skye terrier."
And with that wee Bobby was set upon the polished table, his own
silver image glimmering among the reflections of candles and old
plate. He kept close under the hand of his protector, but waiting
for the moment favorable to his appeal. The company crowded around
with eager interest, while the man of expert knowledge and love of
dogs talked about Bobby.
"You see he's a well-knit little rascal, long and low, hardy and
strong. His ancestors were bred for bolting foxes and wildcats
among the rocky headlands of the subarctic islands. The
intelligence, courage and devotion of dogs of this breed can
scarcely be overstated. There is some far away crossing here that
gives this one a greater beauty and grace and more engaging
manners, making him a 'sport' among rough farm dogs--but look at
the length and strength of the muzzle. He's as determined as the
deil. You would have to break his neck before you could break his
purpose. For love of his master he would starve, or he would leap
to his death without an instant's hesitation."
All this time the man had been stroking Bobby's head and neck. Now,
feeling the collar under the thatch, he slipped it out and brought
the brass plate up to the light.
"Propose your toast to Greyfriars Bobby, Captain. His story is
vouched for by no less a person than the Lord Provost. The 'bittie'
dog seems to have won a sort of canine Victoria Cross."
The toast was drunk standing, and, a cheer given. The company
pressed close to examine the collar and to shake Bobby's lifted
paw. Then, thinking the moment had come, Bobby rose in the begging
attitude, prostrated himself before them, and uttered a pleading
cry. His new friend assured him that he would be taken home.
"Bide a wee, Bobby. Before he goes I want you all to see his
beautiful eyes. In most breeds of dogs with the veil you will find
the hairs of the face discolored by tears, but the Skye terrier's
are not, and his eyes are living jewels, as sunny a brown as
cairngorms in pebble brooches, but soft and deep and with an almost
human intelligence."
For the third time that day Bobby's veil was pushed back. One
shocked look by this lover of dogs, and it was dropped. "Get him
back to that grave, man, or he's like to die. His eyes are just two
cairngorms of grief."
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